January 31st, 2005
IN THE LOOP UPDATE - GEE-GEES WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Our Gees are on a roll right now after an up and down opening week after X-mas break. The first two weeks of January saw an inconsistent team return from holidays. When we were good, we were very good, but when we took a deep breath in a match we seemed to forget to keep it rolling . In the end, that style of play cost us against Ryerson in our first league game back. After winning the second set 25-12 we took a deep breath and found ourselves losing a 5 set battle for our first loss at home in the 2004-05 season.

The good news... that match seems to have been a catalyst for us to take stock a little of how we were going to approach this second half. Attitude, style of play and pride in our performance have become the goal of each outing. We are less focused on the score board, less focused on the other team and more determined to put our best effort and attitude on the floor - point after point. PRIDE seems to
be the word of the day - play in a manner that you can end a match, and be proud of the effort you gave and the attitude you carried. Play to win, don't play to avoid losing - easy to say, not so easy to execute...and yet it seems to have taken over the team right now. There is a rhythm in our approach a toughness in our play and good things are happening.

It started with a big 3-0 win over previously undefeated York at home on January 22nd. The Lions came in with a 12-0 record and the confidence that comes with that, but they left with not only their first loss but a knowledge that the Gees just took them 3 straight with an almost flawless performance - recording less than 20 errors for the entire 3 set match.

With a renewed fire in their eyes, the next question was - could they do it on the road ? Answer, Two more 3-0 victories over McMaster & Guelph this past weekend. Along the way 2nd year left side hitter, Christine Lamey has jumped to #1 in Ontario and #3 in Canada in points earned per set played. While 4th year left side player, Ashley Keenan sits at #3 in Ontario and #7 in Canada in the same statistics category. Christine was impressive in our win over Mac on Saturday as she turned in her best performance of the year with 20 kills and 0 errors en route to a 70% kill efficiency for the match.

The core of vets that are leading this charge at the OUA Championship have a "glue" that is obvious as you watch them play. Right now you can't tell if they are up or down on the scoreboard, they just just keep playing one piont at a time and seem to have an uncanny "feel" and "trust" for one another.

This is a fun team to watch - and if you get a chance to catch us in the final three weeks of the season we would love to have you !

Here is how things play themselves out from here on in:
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Ottawa hosts Windsor (#3 in the West division)
Saturday February 5th
@ Montpetit Hall - 2:00 pm match time

Ottawa hosts Western (#1 in the West division - 13-1)
Sunday February 6th
@ Montpetit Hall - 2:00 pm match time

Ottawa travels to play @ the University of Toronto
Saturday February 12th
2:00 pm match time
* This game will most likely decide home court advantage for the OUA quarter final

Ottawa ends the regular season at Queen's University
Sunday February 13th
2:00 pm match time
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OUA PLAYOFFS

QUARTER FINAL MATCH
Could be at Ottawa on Saturday February 19th
Keep checking our team web site for details
WWW.GGVBALL.COM

OUA FINAL FOUR
Schedules for the weekend of February 25th & 26th
Could be at Western, York, Ottawa or Windsor at this point
The best record after Quarter finals will host
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CIS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
@ The University of Saskatchewan
Set for March 3-5

Thanks again for the support
Hope to see you at one of our final games !

Until the next In The Loop Update
Cheers - Lionel & the Gees